GARDEN STATE CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
Booktalks for the 2014 Ballot
FICTION
Dancing Home by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel M. Zubizarreta
When Margie’s cousin moves from Mexico to live with her and her family in California, she goes through an identity crisis. Margie was born in Texas to Mexican parents. She has spent her whole life adapting to American customs and ways while rejecting anything that comes from south of the border. Having Lupe move in stirs up feelings on what it means to be an American.
Lupe brings out more Mexican in Margie’s parents than Margie can handle; however, Margie begins to feel jealous of the cultural connection that Lupe has to her mom and dad. Will Margie be able to sort out her feelings and come to terms with who she really is or will she forever resent her cousin?
Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book by Tom Angleberger
The very first day of seventh grade was going great until Harvey showed up with Darth Paper and a determination to take down his foe Dwight and Dwight’s Origami Yoda. Things get worse for Dwight when Origami Yoda tries to warn his friend Jen about impending doom. Instead of Jen heeding the warning, she allowed herself to be convinced by Harvey to report Dwight’s comment as a terroristic threat. As a result, Dwight gets suspended from school. Will Dwight be allowed to return to McQuarrie Middle School or will he be sent to alternative school CREF?
City of Orphans by Avi
The year is 1893 and thirteen-year-old Maks Geless is trying to help his parents out financially by selling newspapers; however, a menacing gang called the Plug-Uglies and their ruthless leader Bruno is trying to put the Newsies out of business. When Maks gets cornered by Bruno, a homeless girl named Willa emerges out of the gutter and beats Bruno back with a stick. In return, Maks offers to take her home for a hot meal. Upon their arrival at Maks tenement, they find out that Maks oldest sister, Emma, has been arrested for stealing a watch from a guest at the newly opened Waldorf Hotel. Maks knows that his sister didn’t steal anything and sets out to find who did. Can Maks and Willa find the clues they need in time to set Emma free?
Cinderella Smith by Stephanie Barden
Cinderella Smith’s real name is Josephine-Kathryn; however, she earned the nickname Cinderella because she is always losing one shoe. It is the beginning of the school year and there are some changes in Cinderella’s life, most notably, moving up a grade to join the second-floor students and being snubbed by her friends. When new girl Erin shows an interest in Cinderella, the other girls become even snobbier. Erin’s mother is getting remarried and Erin enlists Cinderella’s help in finding out if her two new stepsisters are wicked. Cinderella takes on the challenge and creates a “Wicked Stepsisters Notebook.” Will there be a happily ever after?
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford
Sixth-grade class clown Jacob Wonderbar and his friends Sarah and Dexter find a spaceship crashed in the woods near their suburban neighborhood. They take it for a ride and end up breaking the universe, getting kidnapped by a space pirate, and landing on a planet that reeks of burp breath. Their troubles put a strain on their friendship, but the only way for them to get home is to work together.
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
After being “grounded for life,” Jack is facing a summer of doing nothing. But plenty of excitement comes Jack's way once his mom loans him out to help a feisty old neighbor with a most unusual chore—typewriting obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his utopian town. As one obituary leads to another, Jack is launched on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, voices from the past, Hell’s Angels, and possibly murder.
True (… Sort Of)by KatherineHannigan
Delly Pattison is a creative 11 year old who loves to create her own language and go on adventures with her little brother. Unfortunately, Delly also cannot help but get into trouble. Even with her good intentions, Delly’s spontaneity leads to disastrous results. With the threat of getting kicked out of school, a mysterious new classmate named Ferris Boyd, who refuses to speak, helps Delly learn to control her impulsiveness. As their friendship grows, Delly discovers that Ferris has an almost magical way of communicating with animals and is the best basketball player their small town has ever seen. Delly also learns the reason behind Ferris’ muteness and realizes she might be in trouble. Can Delly save her new friend from her own trouble?
Zita the Spacegirl: Far From Home by Ben Hatke
While walking home, Zita and her friend Joseph discover a strange, square-shaped device with a bright red button. Zita impulsively pushes the button which suddenly opens a portal and sucks Joseph away. Feeling responsible for her friend’s disappearance, Zita pushes the button again—this time so she can follow Joseph into a bizarre world of unknown creatures, robots and aliens. While trying to navigate this new world, Zita is lucky enough to find a friend and ally named Piper. Zita and Piper set out to rescue Joseph and return the two of them to Earth. Will Zita and Piper find Joseph and will they both make it back to Earth?
Till Death Do Us Bark by Kate Klise
Seymour is one lucky kid—he’s finally happily living with his adoptive parents (one alive, one ghost), and now he finds a lost dog! But the dog, whom he names Secret, is the key to some secrets in town. Can Seymour and Secret find the missing inheritance of Secret’s former owner? Will Seymour’s parents let him keep Secret? Read the book, which is all told in letters and newspaper articles, to see if you can solve the mystery.
13 Gifts by Wendy Mass
When Tara, a self-proclaimed shrinking violet, steals the school mascot, a goat, in order to make some friends with the popular crowd and gets caught, she gets herself in a heap of trouble. In addition, her parents decide that instead of taking her on their summer trip to Madagascar to study the courtship rituals of the Bamboo Lemur, she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin Emily St. Claire in Willow Falls. Tara thinks it's a good time to start over; she'll be turning 13 after all, so she might as well make the best of it and perhaps even attempt to break out of her shell (in a non-criminal manner). What Tara doesn't know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday. It's not a typical birthday. But then again, nothing is Willow Falls is exactly typical!
Cats in the Doll Shop by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Heather Maione.
Anna is excited that her cousin Tania will be coming to live with the family. She even makes a special doll just for her. But when Tania arrives she is strange and unfriendly. What makes Tania hide food and act so rude? And will Anna be able to save the alley cats even though papa says “no pets allowed”?
Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver
After the death of her father, Liesl is locked in the attic by her stepmother. There she receives a visit from Po and Bundle, spirits from the Other Side, with a message from Liesl’s father. Liesl must try to recover her father’s ashes and keep evil forces from obtaining the Most Powerful Magic in the World. On her journey she meets Will, the alchemist’s apprentice, and along with Po and Bundle, the group sets out on a sometimes humorous, sometimes dark, but always exciting adventure.
Lucky for Good by Susan Patron
Lucky is happy with her life in Hard Pan until the arrival of a county health inspector brings the possibility of the closure of Brigitte’s café which in turn would mean that Lucky and Brigitte would have to leave. The arrival of Miles’ mother also causes friction between good friends Lucky and Miles. Further turmoil occurs when Lucky is forced to do a family tree assignment which causes Lucky to investigate the father she hardly knows. This stand-alone finale in Lucky’s Hard Pan Trilogy tests the strength and resourcefulness of Lucky in new ways.
Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck
Mice sisters Helena, Louise and Beatrice along with brother Lamont follow their human family on a voyage from New York to London. On board the 1880’s ship, they discover a world of dinners and dances for mice. The sisters find they must intervene on behalf of their human family in an adventure at times both humorous and frightening. Will they be successful or will they fall victim to the water or the ship’s cat? Grades 4 & up, younger for read-aloud
Sidekicks by Dan Santat
Captain Amazing, superhero and savior of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. His four pets all agree that he needs a sidekick but each one of them thinks HE should get the sidekick spot - and a chance for one-on-one time with the Captain. Get ready as these pets with superpowers duke it out for the one thing they all want - a super family.
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. After losing both his mother and his hearing in rapid succession, Ben longs for the father he has never known. Lonely Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing heading in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing. Set fifty years apart, these independent stories - Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures - weave back and forth until they ultimately entwine. How they unfold will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma were orphaned by their parents when they were very, very young--leaving them only with the last name “P.” After being sent from one orphanage to another, the three end up in a mysterious town called Cambridge Falls. When they happen upon a book that holds the power of time travel, they begin to unravel a mystery of magic and danger. Given the power to change history, will they succeed and save the world?
Pie by Sarah Weeks
Hungry for a good read? Take a big bite of Pie and you’ll be satisfied. After the death of Polly Portman, whose award-winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1950s, her devoted niece Alice and Alice's friend Charlie investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly's secret pie crust recipe. This book is full of charm and humor, not to mention every chapter begins with a scrumptious recipe for pie. Yum!
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book 2, The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
The second book in this hilarious series, plucky and resourceful governess Miss Penelope Lumley and her wolfish charges, Alexander, Cassiopeia and Beowulf, are headed to London for further adventures. The mystery of who exactly are the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place continues, as well as Miss Lumley’s connection to them. You’ll be howling for more.
Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods
With personality as long as his name, Saint Louis Armstrong Beach loves his life in New Orleans playing his clarinet for tourists and paling around with local stray dog, Shadow. But as Hurricane Katrina threatens his city, Saint stays to weather the storm in order to save Shadow. Saint proves to be as vibrant and resilient as his beloved city as this book takes you through the days leading up to the infamous hurricane and right through to the eye of the storm. Hold on tight!
FICTION SERIES
Just Grace and the Double Surprise by Charise Mericle Harper
Have you ever been so excited and nervous for something you could just explode? That is how Grace’s best friend, Mimi, feels as she anxiously awaits the arrival of her new adopted sister. When things don’t turn out as Mimi had hoped, Grace has to use her special empathy power to cheer her up and show her that not always getting what you want can be a good thing. Can Grace remember her own advice as she receives a special, unexpected surprise of her own?
Babymouse: Mad Scientist by Jennifer L. Hold & Matthew Holm
Babymouse struggles to come up with an idea for her Science Fair project. Encouraged by her father, eventually Babymouse agrees to collect pond water in order to observe and research amoebas. Amoebas prove to be much more exciting than Babymouse expected, when she discovers Squish—a baseball hat wearing, pizza and cupcake loving, green colored amoeba. Squish and Babymouse develop an interesting friendship and due to his fame and popularity---Squish goes on to star in his own comic book series. Read Babymouse: Mad Scientist to learn about Squish’s beginnings and continue his hilarious story in Squish: Super Amoeba by the same authors.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
What would you do if you were stuck inside during a blizzard for days? Well, if you’re anything like Greg Heffley, you’d have a blast! No school, no chores, all fun, right? At least for the first hour. Then Greg starts to go stir crazy! If anyone can make it though, Greg can—using a little ingenuity and lots of funny drawings!
Big Nate on a Roll by Lincoln Peirce
Big Nate loses his skateboard in a skateboarding accident, but just in time his Timber Scouts troop is having a contest and the winner gets a new skateboard! Nate tries his best to sell the most “Warm Fuzzies” but new scout Artur always comes in first. Even the various schemes Nate tries to get ahead all backfire on him. Will Nate win or will Artur?